Teacher Resource: Activity 1 - Breaking Down a Research Paper

'When Nature Calls' Research Paper

Below is the research paper written by Dr. Mylene Mariette herself which discusses her ecology research and study into zebra finches. This resource has been used in topic one and is to be used to aim students in the study of the scientific method and process. 

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This resource was originally published in Australian Science Magazine in December 2016

Task One: Understanding the Experiment

The solutions to Task One are included below. Students have identified the Aim, Hypothesis, Method, Results and Conclusion of the investigation conducted by Dr. Mariette. Students may have different interpretations of these answers and you may want to share students' answers in a class discussion.

Task Two: Studying Ecological Language

The solutions to Task Two are included below. Students may have different interpretations of these answers but they should generally reflect the same definition. Students may have also found other examples of scientific language included in the article and as such may have further definitions.

Task Three: NATURE CALLS: Analysing Mylene Mariette’s Research Paper

The solutions to Task Three are included below. These worksheet questions may be completed as a group to simplify the task for students and allow for class discussion of answers. The graphs included are taken directly from Dr. Mariette's presentation.